Cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline in postmenopausal women: results from the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study

Lifetime History of Low Birth Weight Delivery and Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged Parous Women

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Pregnancy outcomes such as low birth weight (LBW) delivery may reflect vascular or metabolic dysfunction in mothers and presage future cognitive impairment and dementia. However, the evidence is currently limited. Our objective was to examine the extent to which a lifetime history of LBW delivery was associated with cognitive function in parous middle-aged women.

METHODS

We studied participants from the Nurses' Health Study II, an ongoing longitudinal cohort of female nurses enrolled in 1989. In 2009, participants completed a reproductive history questionnaire. Participants who completed at least one of 2 post-traumatic stress disorder questionnaires were invited to participate in a cognition substudy with 2 waves of baseline data collection (2014 or 2018). We restricted the analysis to participants with one valid cognitive assessment who reported ≥1 birth at 18 years and older. We defined LBW delivery history as having delivered offspring with a birth weight <2,500 g (<5.5 lbs) in any pregnancy. The outcome was a single assessment of cognitive function evaluated with the self-administered Cogstate Brief Battery. The battery comprises 4 tasks, which we used to create 2 composite z-scores measuring psychomotor speed/attention and learning/working memory (higher z-scores = better cognitive function). We used multivariable linear regression models.

RESULTS

The analysis included 15,323 participants with a mean age of 62 (standard deviation: 4.9 years) at cognitive assessment. Among them, 1,224 (8%) had a history of LBW delivery. After adjusting for age at cognitive assessment, race, and ethnicity, participants' education, wave of baseline cognitive assessment, socioeconomic status, and prepregnancy characteristics, women with a history of LBW delivery had lower z-scores in the psychomotor speed/attention (β, -0.06; 95% CI -0.12 to -0.01) and learning/working memory (β, -0.05; 95% CI -0.09 to -0.01) composites than parous women without a history of LBW delivery. We observed a gradient of lower z-scores with an increasing number of LBW deliveries.

DISCUSSION

History of LBW delivery may be marker of future poorer cognition. If confirmed, our findings support future investigations into the value of early preventive efforts targeting women with a history of LBW delivery to reduce the burden of cognitive impairment in women.

Overcoming Pandemic-Related Challenges in Recruitment and Screening: Strategies and Representation of Older Women With Cardiovascular Disease for a Multidomain Lifestyle Trial to Prevent Cognitive Decline

BACKGROUND

Recruiting participants with cardiovascular disease into research during the COVID-19 pandemic was challenging, particularly those at risk of health disparities.

OBJECTIVE

During the pandemic, 12 cohorts of older women with cardiovascular disease were recruited from cardiology clinics into a lifestyle intervention trial to prevent cognitive decline. Objectives were to ( a ) describe the results of modified recruitment/screening strategies to overcome pandemic-related challenges and ( b ) evaluate differences in age, race, and ethnicity between patients recruited/randomized, recruited/not randomized (entered recruitment but not randomized because of being ineligible or not interested), and not recruited (clinic patients who met preliminary criteria but did not enter recruitment).

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional descriptive analysis. In-person study strategies proposed before the COVID-19 pandemic were modified before study onset (September 2020). Women 65 years or older with cardiovascular disease were recruited from cardiology clinics by clinicians, posted flyers, and letters mailed to patients randomly selected from electronic health record data extractions. Patients were classified as recruited/randomized, recruited/not randomized, and not recruited.

RESULTS

Of 5719 patients potentially eligible, 1689 patients entered recruitment via referral (49.1%), posted flyers (0.5%), or mailed letters (50.3%), and 253 patients were successfully recruited/randomized. Recruited/randomized participants were, on average, 72.4 years old (range, 65-90 years old), non-Hispanic White (54.2%), non-Hispanic Black (38.3%), Hispanic/Latinx (1.6%), and other/not reported (5.1%). The recruited/randomized group was significantly younger with fewer patients of Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity compared with those not recruited.

CONCLUSIONS

During the pandemic, all recruitment/screening goals were met using modified strategies. Differences in sociodemographic representation indicate a need for tailored strategies.

An unexpected interaction between diabetes and cardiovascular diseases on cognitive function: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Impaired cognitive function in older individuals significantly affects quality of life. The interaction between comorbid diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its impact on cognitive impairment remains unclear.

METHODS

This study analyzed 2564 subjects from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey dataset. Cognitive function was measured using various scores, including CERAD Total Score, CERAD Delayed Recall Score (CDRS), Animal Fluency Total Score, and Digit Symbol Score. Multiple regression models were constructed to explore the relationship between different diseases and cognitive function, considering covariates such as age, sex, education, body mass index, alcohol intake, smoking, physical activity, kidney function, and hypertension.

RESULTS

After adjusting for multiple factors, the presence of CVD, diabetes, or both showed a significant negative association with the total cognitive score. The CDRS was associated with both CVD and diabetes. The Digit Symbol score was associated with the presence of CVD, diabetes, or both. No significant differences were found between patients with diabetes and CVD in cognitive test results. An interaction between CVD and diabetes was observed in relation to the CDRS but not in other test scores or the total score.

CONCLUSION

The individual impact of each disease on cognitive function was not significant. However, an interaction between CVD and diabetes was found when both diseases coexisted, specifically in relation to delayed learning ability.

Exploring the Intersection of Dementia and Myocardial Infarction: Vascular Perspectives

Emerging evidence underscores the relationship between myocardial infarction and dementia, implicating a profound influence on patient health. The bidirectional relationship between myocardial infarction and dementia is highlighted by pathophysiological changes in vasculature function, lifestyle factors, and environmental influences. Our literature review aims to explore the complex relationship between these 2 pathologies and highlight the pathways by which they mutually influence each other.

Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of all-cause dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and vascular dementia: A cohort study of 373, 415 participants in the UK Biobank

BACKGROUND

Accumulated evidence has highlighted the association between atrial fibrillation and the risk of developing dementia.

METHODS

This current cohort study utilized data from the UK Biobank to explore the association between atrial fibrillation (AF) and all-cause dementia (ACD), encompassing its main subtypes (Alzheimer's disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VD)). Cox proportional hazards models were applied to examine the association of AF and dementia with its primary subtypes after adjusting for different sets of covariates. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95 % confidential intervals (CIs) were estimated to quantify the associated risks. Competing risk model was applied in sensitivity analysis.

RESULTS

After exclusion, 373, 415 participants entered the primary analysis. Among these, 27, 934 (7.48 %) were with a history AF at baseline, while 345, 481 (92.52 %) were without. During a mean follow-up of 13.45 years, ACD was diagnosed in 1215 individuals with AF and 3988 individuals without AF. Participants with AF had higher risks of ACD (1.79 [1.67-1.91]), AD (1.48 [1.32-1.65]), and VD (2.46 [2.17-2.80]) in the fully adjusted Cox regression models. Results of subgroup and sensitivity analyses predominantly aligned with the positive associations in primary analysis.

LIMITATIONS

The applicability of our findings to diverse ethnicities might require careful consideration and the behind biological mechanisms need to be further revealed.

CONCLUSIONS

It indicated that people with atrial fibrillation had an increased future risk of all-cause dementia, Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia. Atrial fibrillation screening and prevention strategies should take into account to prevent and delay the onset of dementia.

Air pollution, APOE genotype and risk of dementia among individuals with cardiovascular diseases: A population-based longitudinal study

Individuals with cardiovascular disease (CVD) are particularly vulnerable to dementia, but it remains unclear whether air pollution exposure links with higher risk of dementia among those with CVD. The data were derived from the UK Biobank study (UKB). Dementia-free participants with CVD at baseline were included. Air pollution exposure was assessed through land use regression models, including particulate matter (PM2.5, PM2.5-10, and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOX). A Cox proportional hazards model was used to investigate the associations between air pollution exposure and incident dementia among individuals with CVD. Air pollution was associated with dementia among individuals with CVD, and the hazard ratios of dementia associated with each interquartile range (IQR) μg/m3 increase in air pollution were 1.07 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.12) for PM2.5, 1.10 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.15) for PM10, 1.08 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.14) for NO2 and 1.05 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.09) for NOx. Associations between air pollution and all-cause dementia were found to be significant among individuals with hypertension. Adverse effects of air pollution were also observed for Alzheimer's dementia (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD), with a higher effect for AD. Observed associations remained similar in subgroups of APOE ε4 carriers and noncarriers, although there was a higher risk difference across different air pollution concentration among these individuals carrying APOE ε4. Air pollution emerges as a critical risk factor for dementia among individuals with CVD, regardless of genetic susceptibility indicated by the APOE genotype. Notably, individuals with hypertension might be susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution, leading to a higher incidence of dementia. Understanding these impacts on dementia among individuals with CVD may promote better targeted prevention and clinical management strategies.

Umbrella review and Delphi study on modifiable factors for dementia risk reduction

A 2013 systematic review and Delphi consensus study identified 12 modifiable risk and protective factors for dementia, which were subsequently merged into the "LIfestyle for BRAin health" (LIBRA) score. We systematically evaluated whether LIBRA requires revision based on new evidence. To identify modifiable risk and protective factors suitable for dementia risk reduction, we combined an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses with a two-round Delphi consensus study. The review of 608 unique primary studies and opinions of 18 experts prioritized six modifiable factors: hearing impairment, social contact, sleep, life course inequalities, atrial fibrillation, and psychological stress. Based on expert ranking, hearing impairment, social contact, and sleep were considered the most suitable candidates for inclusion in updated dementia risk scores. As such, the current study shows that dementia risk scores need systematic updates based on emerging evidence. Future studies will validate the updated LIBRA score in different cohorts. HIGHLIGHTS: An umbrella review was combined with opinions of 18 dementia experts. Various candidate targets for dementia risk reduction were identified. Experts prioritized hearing impairment, social contact, and sleep. Re-assessment of dementia risk scores is encouraged. Future work should evaluate the predictive validity of updated risk scores.

Cognitive impairment and outcomes in older adults with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the prognostic impact of cognitive impairment on the long-term risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in older patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS) undergoing invasive treatment.

METHODS

Patients aged ≥75 years with NSTEACS undergoing an invasive strategy were included in the multicentre prospective study (NCT01933581). Montreal Cognitive Assessment was used to evaluate cognitive status at baseline (scores ≥26 classified as normal, <26 as cognitive impairment). Long-term follow-up data were obtained from electronic patient care records. The primary endpoint was MACE as a composite of all-cause deaths, reinfarction, stroke/transient ischaemic attack, urgent revascularisation and significant bleeding.

RESULTS

239 patients with baseline cognitive assessment completed long-term follow-up. Median age was 80.9 years (IQR 78.2-83.9 years) and 62.3% were male. On 5-year follow-up, there was no significant difference in the occurrence of MACE between the cognitively impaired group and the normal cognition group (p=0.155). Cognition status was not associated with MACE (HR 1.37 (95% CI 0.96 to 1.95); p=0.082). However, there was significantly more deaths (p=0.005) in those with cognitive impairment. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (log-rank p=0.003) and Cox regression analysis (aHR 1.85 (95% CI 1.11 to 3.08); p=0.018) revealed increased risk of all-cause mortality, even after adjusting for frailty and GRACE (Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events) score.

CONCLUSION

Cognitive impairment in older patients with NSTEACS undergoing an invasive strategy was associated with long-term all-cause mortality. Routine cognitive screening may aid risk stratification and further studies are needed to identify how this should influence management strategies and individual decision-making in this patient group.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT01933581.

Association of ischemic heart disease with long-term risk of cognitive decline and dementia: A cohort study

INTRODUCTION

The independent and joint effect of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and coexisting atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) on dementia risk is largely unknown.

METHODS

This population-based cohort study included 2568 dementia-free participants (age ≥60 years) in SNAC-K, who were regularly examined from 2001-2004 through 2013-2016. Dementia was diagnosed following the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) criteria. Global cognitive function was assessed using a global cognitive composite z-score derived from five cognitive domains. Data were analyzed using Cox, Fine-Gray, and linear mixed-effects models.

RESULTS

Overall, IHD at baseline was associated with multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.39 (95% confidence interval = 1.06-1.82) for dementia and multivariable-adjusted β-coefficient of -0.02 (-0.03 to -0.01) for annual changes in global cognitive z-score, independent of AF, HF, and cerebrovascular disease. Coexisting AF or HF did not add further risk to dementia and cognitive decline.

DISCUSSION

IHD is independently associated with dementia and cognitive decline in older adults, whereas coexisting AF/HF is not associated with an increased risk.

HIGHLIGHTS

Is a history of ischemic heart disease (IHD) associated with a risk for dementia? How do coexisting heart diseases affect this association? IHD was an independent risk factor for dementia in older adults. This association was independent of coexisting heart and cerebrovascular diseases. The coexistence of heart diseases did not confer additional risk for dementia.

Menopause: Questions and Answers for Improving Homeopathic Clinical Practice

BACKGROUND

Medical attention for menopausal women is frequently delivered by health care providers (general practitioners, gynecologists or homeopathic physicians) who are not specialized in post-reproductive care. Homeopathy has been used for treating menopausal complaints for more than two centuries. Therefore, it is important to improve clinical knowledge in this field among homeopathic physicians. Nowadays, there is a special interest in the study of menopause-related chronic conditions due to the impact on women's quality of life. The aim of this review is to address the important key points of the menopause, clinical assessment, and available tests for evaluating menopausal women, as well as some general topics regarding homeopathic clinical practice for menopause.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A literature search regarding menopause and current guidelines and recommendations was performed. To be practical and concise, the information is presented in the form of questions and answers. Currently, there is an international classification of woman's reproductive aging that can be useful for clinical and research purposes in homeopathy. A comprehensive homeopathic approach is mandatory for evaluating women with a healthy menopause, but also for those experiencing co-morbidities. In an integrative health care system, several assessment resources can be incorporated into the homeopathic consultations. Clinical and laboratory examinations for detecting metabolic disorders (dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, diabetes and hypertension, among others), mood disorders, cognitive impairment and osteoporosis are available in many clinical settings. Screening for gynecological cancers is an international recommendation at this stage. All data obtained from homeopathic consultations would help to integrate well-documented case reports. This would give the possibility to generate hypotheses to design high-quality clinical research.

CONCLUSION

Improving homeopathic clinical practice for menopause is useful for both clinical and research purposes. The international recommendations for evaluating menopausal women should be incorporated in homeopathic clinical practice, mainly in clinical settings where homeopathy is integrated in outpatient services.

Impact of dementia and drug compliance on patients with acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

In South Korea, the number of people with dementia is rising at a worrisome rate, and many of them also have acute myocardial infarction (AMI), a disease with a high mortality rate.

HYPOTHESIS

We speculated that dementia and drug compliance have significant impact on the mortality of patients with AMI.

METHODS

The study derived data from the National Health Insurance Service-Senior for a retrospective cohort study. The total number of patients diagnosed with AMI for the first time between 2007 and 2013 was 16 835, among whom 2021 had dementia. Medication possession ratio (MPR) was used to assess medication adherence.

RESULTS

AMI patients with dementia had unfavorable baseline characteristics; they had significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.49; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.34-2.66; p < .001) and lower MPR (aspirin: 21.9% vs. 42.8%; p < .001). AMI patients were stratified by presence of dementia and medication adherence, and the survival rate was the highest among those with no dementia and good adherence, followed by those with no dementia and poor adherence, those with dementia and good adherence, and those with dementia and poor adherence. The multivariable analysis revealed that dementia (HR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.53-1.75; p < .001) and poor adherence to medication (HR: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.49-1.71; p < .001) had a significant association with all-cause mortality in AMI patients.

CONCLUSIONS

AMI patients with dementia have a higher mortality rate. Their prognosis is negatively affected by their poorer medication adherence than patients without dementia.

Vascular cognitive impairment - Past, present, and future challenges

Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is a lifelong process encompassing a broad spectrum of cognitive disorders, ranging from subtle or mild deficits to prodromal and fully developed dementia, originating from cerebrovascular lesions such as large and small vessel disease. Genetic predisposition and environmental exposure to risk factors such as unhealthy lifestyles, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disorders will synergistically interact, yielding biochemical and structural brain changes, ultimately culminating in VCI. However, little is known about the pathological processes underlying VCI and the temporal dynamics between risk factors and disease mechanisms (biochemical and structural brain changes). This narrative review aims to provide an evidence-based summary of the link between individual vascular risk/disorders and cognitive dysfunction and the potential structural and biochemical pathophysiological processes. We also discuss some key challenges for future research on VCI. There is a need to shift from individual risk factors/disorders to comorbid vascular burden, identifying and integrating imaging and fluid biomarkers, implementing a life-course approach, considering possible neuroprotective influences of positive life exposures, and addressing biological sex at birth and gender differences. Finally, this review highlights the need for future researchers to leverage and integrate multidimensional data to advance our understanding of the mechanisms and pathophysiology of VCI.

Is the association between cognitive disease progression and atrial fibrillation modified by sex?

INTRODUCTION

It is unclear if sex differences exist in cognitive disease progression in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia associated with atrial fibrillation (AF).

METHODS

Using a variety of statistical methods, we examined sex differences between AF and neuropsychological tests and cognitive disease progression, using the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center data (N = 43,630).

RESULTS

AF is associated with higher odds of dementia (odds ratio [OR] 3.00, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.22, 7.37] in women and MCI in women (OR 3.43, 95% CI [1.55, 7.55]) versus men. Women with AF and normal baseline cognition had a higher risk of disease progression (hazard ratio [HR] 1.26, 95% CI [1.06, 1.50]) from normal to MCI and from MCI to vascular dementia (HR3.27, 95% CI [1.89, 5.65]) than men with AF or men and women without AF.

DISCUSSION

AF was associated with more rapid progression to MCI and dementia in women, but more research is needed to confirm these findings.

Acute Myocardial Infarction and Risk of Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: A Review

Cognitive impairment (CI) shares common cardiovascular risk factors with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and is increasingly prevalent in our ageing population. Whilst AMI is associated with increased rates of CI, CI remains underreported and infrequently identified in patients with AMI. In this review, we discuss the evidence surrounding AMI and its links to dementia and CI, including pathophysiology, risk factors, management and interventions. Vascular dysregulation plays a major role in CI, with atherosclerosis, platelet activation, microinfarcts and perivascular inflammation resulting in neurovascular unit dysfunction, disordered homeostasis and a dysfunctional neurohormonal response. This subsequently affects perfusion pressure, resulting in enlarged periventricular spaces and hippocampal sclerosis. The increased platelet activation seen in coronary artery disease (CAD) can also result in inflammation and amyloid-β protein deposition which is associated with Alzheimer's Dementia. Post-AMI, reduced blood pressure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction can cause chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, cerebral infarction and failure of normal circulatory autoregulatory mechanisms. Patients who undergo coronary revascularization (percutaneous coronary intervention or bypass surgery) are at increased risk for post-procedure cognitive impairment, though whether this is related to the intervention itself or underlying cardiovascular risk factors is debated. Mortality rates are higher in dementia patients with AMI, and post-AMI CI is more prevalent in the elderly and in patients with post-AMI heart failure. Medical management (antiplatelet, statin, renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, cardiac rehabilitation) can reduce the risk of post-AMI CI; however, beta-blockers may be associated with functional decline in patients with existing CI. The early identification of those with dementia or CI who present with AMI is important, as subsequent tailoring of management strategies can potentially improve outcomes as well as guide prognosis.

Premature Cardiovascular Disease and Brain Health in Midlife: The CARDIA Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

To understand the role of premature (defined as ≤ 60 years) cardiovascular disease (CVD) in brain health earlier in life, we examined the associations of premature CVD with midlife cognition and white matter health.

METHODS

We studied a prospective cohort in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study, who were 18-30 years at baseline (1985-1986) and followed up to 30 years when 5 cognitive tests measuring different domains were administered. A subset (656 participants) had brain MRI measures of white matter hyperintensity (WMH) and white matter integrity. A premature CVD event was adjudicated based on medical records of coronary heart disease, stroke/TIA, congestive heart failure, carotid artery disease, and peripheral artery disease. We conducted linear regression to determine the associations of nonfatal premature CVD with cognitive performance (z-standardized), cognitive decline, and MRI measures.

RESULTS

Among 3,146 participants, the mean age (57% women and 48% Black) was 55.1 ± 3.6 years, with 5% (n = 147) having premature CVD. Adjusting for demographics, education, literacy, income, depressive symptoms, physical activity, diet, and APOE, premature CVD was associated with lower cognition in 4 of 5 domains: global cognition (-0.22, 95% CI -0.37 to -0.08), verbal memory (-0.28, 95% CI -0.44 to -0.12), processing speed (-0.46, 95% CI -0.62 to -0.31), and executive function (-0.38, 95% CI -0.55 to -0.22). Premature CVD was associated with greater WMH (total, temporal, and parietal lobes) and higher white matter mean diffusivity (total and temporal lobes) after adjustment for covariates. These associations remained significant after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) and excluding those with stroke/TIA. Premature CVD was also associated with accelerated cognitive decline over 5 years (adjusted OR 3.07, 95% CI 1.65-5.71).

DISCUSSION

Premature CVD is associated with worse midlife cognition and white matter health, which is not entirely driven by stroke/TIA and even independent of CVRFs. Preventing CVD in early adulthood may delay the onset of cognitive decline and promote brain health over the life course.

The independent impact of dementia in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Although age and frailty are associated with worse prognoses for patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), little is known regarding the independent impact of dementia.

HYPOTHESIS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between dementia and outcomes for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODS

Consecutive patients with ST-elevation or non-ST elevation MI who had undergone PCI as part of our AMI registry were included in this study. We compared outcomes within the 1-year period of their PCI, including death and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and corrected for confounders using Cox regression.

RESULTS

Of 28 274 patients, 9167 patients who had undergone PCI for AMI were included in this study, 250 with dementia; Mean age (77.4 ± 9.4 in the dementia group vs. 63.6 ± 12.7 in the control), female gender (32.4 vs. 24.2%, p = .003), diabetes mellitus (54.0 vs. 42.4%, p < .001) and chronic kidney disease (44.4 vs. 19.3%, p < .001) were higher. At 12 months, unadjusted rates of death (25.5 vs. 9.8%, p < .001) and MACE (33.8 vs. 17.6%, p < .001) were higher for patients with dementia. After standardizing for confounding variables, dementia remained an independent risk factor for death (HR 1.90; CI 1.37-2.65; p < .001) and MACE (HR 1.73; CI 1.30-2.31; p < .001), as well as in propensity score matched analysis (HR 1.54; CI: 1.03-2.28; p < .001 and HR 1.49; CI: 1.09-2.02; p < .001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Dementia is an independent predictor of worse outcomes in patients undergoing PCI for AMI. Future intervention and specialized healthcare measures to mitigate this risk is warranted.

Association Between Cardiovascular Disease and Cognitive Dysfunction in Breast Cancer Survivors

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer survivors (BCSs) may have a greater risk for cardiovascular disease (congestive heart failure and hypertension), which in turn, can affect cognitive dysfunction, a frequent, bothersome, and potentially debilitating symptom.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of cardiovascular disease on cognitive function in BCSs.

METHODS

Baseline data from a double-blind randomized controlled trial for cognitive training of BCSs were examined. Early-stage BCS (stages I-IIIA) who were 21 years or older, completed adjuvant therapy (≥6 months), and reported cognitive concerns completed questionnaires and a brief neuropsychological assessment, including tests of memory, attention and working memory, speed of processing, and verbal fluency. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, and separate linear regression models for each cognitive domain were conducted.

RESULTS

Forty-seven BCSs, who were on average 57.3 (SD, 8.1) years old, were 58% White, and had some college education (75%), completed the study. Furthermore, 44.7% of the BCS had cardiovascular disease (congestive heart failure or hypertension). In linear regression models, cardiovascular disease was significantly related to immediate and delayed memory and attention and working memory ( P < .01-.05).

CONCLUSION

Breast cancer survivors who have cardiovascular disease may also be at a greater risk for cognitive dysfunction post treatment. Results from this study inform both clinical practice and future research, specifically by examining the intersection between cancer, cardiovascular disease (cardiotoxicity), and cognition.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Nurses should be aware that BCSs with co-occurring cardiovascular disease are at a higher risk for cognitive dysfunction and work within the multidisciplinary team to optimize BCS health and function.

Predicting Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias in Heart Failure and Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND

The Framingham Heart Study Dementia Risk Score (FDRS) was developed in a general population of older persons. It is unknown how the FDRS variables predict Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD) in heart failure and atrial fibrillation populations. We aimed to evaluate the predictive ability of the FDRS variables in population-based cohorts of heart failure and atrial fibrillation and to determine whether the addition of other comorbidities and risk factors improves risk prediction for AD/ADRD.

METHODS

Residents aged ≥50 years from 7 southeastern Minnesota counties with a first diagnosis of heart failure or atrial fibrillation between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2017, were identified. Patients with AD/ADRD before or within 6 months after index atrial fibrillation or heart failure and patients who died within 6 months after index were excluded. For both cohorts, models were constructed to predict AD/ADRD after index including the variables in the FDRS. Additional comorbidities and risk factors were added to the models. For all models, c-statistics using 5-fold cross-validation were calculated.

RESULTS

Among 3052 patients with heart failure (mean age 75 years, 53% male), 626 developed AD/ADRD; among 4107 patients with atrial fibrillation (mean age 74 years, 57% male), 736 developed AD/ADRD. Among patients with heart failure, the FDRS variables predicted AD/ADRD with c-statistic = 0.69. Adding comorbidities and risk factors improved the c-statistic slightly to 0.70. The FDRS variables also performed well (c-statistic = 0.73) in patients with atrial fibrillation; adding comorbidities and risk factors slightly improved performance (c-statistic = 0.75).

CONCLUSIONS

The variables from the FDRS predict AD/ADRD well in both heart failure and atrial fibrillation populations. The addition of comorbidities and risk factors only modestly improved prediction, indicating that the FDRS variables are appropriate to predict AD/ADRD in patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation.

Multimorbid Patterns and Cognitive Performance in the Presence of Informative Dropout Among Community-Dwelling Taiwanese Older Adults

Background and Objectives

Longitudinal studies among older adults often feature elevated dropout rates and multiple chronic conditions. How Taiwanese multimorbid patterns relate to different cognitive domains remains unclear. This study aims to identify sex-specific multimorbid patterns and associate them with cognitive performance while modeling the risk for dropout.

Research Design and Methods

A prospective cohort study (2011-19) in Taiwan recruited 449 Taiwanese older adults without dementia. Global and domain-specific cognition were assessed biennially. We used exploratory factor analysis to identify baseline sex-specific multimorbid patterns of 19 self-reported chronic conditions. We utilized a joint model incorporating longitudinal and time-to-dropout data to examine the association between multimorbid patterns and cognitive performance accounting for the informative dropout via the shared random effect.

Results

At the end of the study, 324 participants (72.1%) remained in the cohort, with an average annual attrition rate of 5.5%. We found that advanced age, low levels of physical activities, and poor cognition at baseline were associated with increased dropout risks. Besides, 6 multimorbid patterns were identified, labeled Mental, Renal-vascular, and Cancer-urinary patterns in men, and Mental, Cardiometabolic, and Cancer-endocrine patterns in women. For men, as the follow-up time increased, the Mental pattern was associated with poor global cognition and attention; the Renal-vascular pattern was associated with poor executive function. For women, the Mental pattern was associated with poor memory; as follow-up time increased, and Cardiometabolic patterns were related to poor memory.

Discussion and Implications

Sex-specific multimorbid patterns identified in the Taiwanese older population showed differences (notably Renal-vascular pattern in men) from patterns found in Western countries and were differentially associated with cognitive impairment over time. When informative dropout is suspected, appropriate statistical methods should be applied.

Mechanisms and Clinical Manifestations of Cognitive Decline in Atrial Fibrillation Patients: Potential Implications for Preventing Dementia

Atrial fibrillation (AF) patients face an approximate 1.5-fold increased risk of cognitive decline compared with the general population. Among poststroke AF patients, the risk of cognitive decline is even higher with an estimated threefold increase. This article provides a narrative review on the current evidence and highlights gaps in knowledge and areas for future research. Although earlier studies hypothesized that the association between AF and cognitive decline is mainly a consequence of previous ischemic strokes, more recent evidence also suggests such an association in AF patients without a history of clinical stroke. Because AF and cognitive decline mainly occur among elderly individuals, it is not surprising that both entities share multiple risk factors. In addition to clinically overt ischemic strokes, silent brain infarcts and other brain injury are likely mechanisms for the increased risk of cognitive decline among AF patients. Oral anticoagulation for stroke prevention in AF patients with additional stroke risk factors is one of the only proven therapies to prevent brain injury. Whether a broader use of oral anticoagulation, or more intense anticoagulation in some patients are beneficial in this context needs to be addressed in future studies. Although direct studies are lacking, it is reasonable to recommend optimal treatment of comorbidities and risk factors for the prevention of cognitive decline and dementia.

Chronic Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Decline in Patients with Cardiac Disease: Evidence, Relevance, and Therapeutic Implications

Acute and chronic cardiac disorders predispose to alterations in cognitive performance, ranging from mild cognitive impairment to overt dementia. Although this association is well-established, the factors inducing and accelerating cognitive decline beyond ageing and the intricate causal pathways and multilateral interdependencies involved remain poorly understood. Dysregulated and persistent inflammatory processes have been implicated as potentially causal mediators of the adverse consequences on brain function in patients with cardiac disease. Recent advances in positron emission tomography disclosed an enhanced level of neuroinflammation of cortical and subcortical brain regions as an important correlate of altered cognition in these patients. In preclinical and clinical investigations, the thereby involved domains and cell types of the brain are gradually better characterized. Microglia, resident myeloid cells of the central nervous system, appear to be of particular importance, as they are extremely sensitive to even subtle pathological alterations affecting their complex interplay with neighboring astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, infiltrating myeloid cells, and lymphocytes. Here, we review the current evidence linking cognitive impairment and chronic neuroinflammation in patients with various selected cardiac disorders including the aspect of chronic neuroinflammation as a potentially druggable target.

The Utility of High Intensity Interval Training to Improve Cognitive Aging in Heart Disease Patients

Adults with cardiovascular disease and heart failure are at higher risk of cognitive decline. Cerebral hypoperfusion appears to be a significant contributor, which can result from vascular dysfunction and impairment of cerebral blood flow regulation. In contrast, higher cardiorespiratory fitness shows protection against brain atrophy, reductions in cerebral blood flow, and cognitive decline. Given that high intensity interval training (HIIT) has been shown to be a potent stimulus for improving cardiorespiratory fitness and peripheral vascular function, its utility for improving cognitive aging is an important area of research. This article will review the physiology related to cerebral blood flow regulation and cognitive decline in adults with cardiovascular disease and heart failure, and how HIIT may provide a more optimal stimulus for improving cognitive aging in this population.

Is hospitalization a risk factor for cognitive decline in older age adults?

OBJECTIVES

Many studies document cognitive decline following specific types of acute illness hospitalizations (AIH) such as surgery, critical care, or those complicated by delirium. However, cognitive decline may be a complication following all types of AIH. This systematic review will summarize longitudinal observational studies documenting cognitive changes following AIH in the majority admitted population and conduct meta-analysis (MA) to assess the quantitative effect of AIH on post-hospitalization cognitive decline (PHCD).

METHODS

We followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Selection criteria were defined to identify studies of older age adults exposed to AIH with cognitive measures. 6566 titles were screened. 46 reports were reviewed qualitatively, of which seven contributed data to the MA. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

RESULTS

The qualitative review suggested increased cognitive decline following AIH, but several reports were particularly vulnerable to bias. Domain-specific outcomes following AIH included declines in memory and processing speed. Increasing age and the severity of illness were the most consistent risk factors for PHCD. PHCD was supported by MA of seven eligible studies with 41,453 participants (Cohen's d = -0.25, 95% CI [-0.02, -0.49] I² 35%).

CONCLUSIONS

There is preliminary evidence that AIH exposure accelerates or triggers cognitive decline in the elderly patient. PHCD reported in specific contexts could be subsets of a larger phenomenon and caused by overlapping mechanisms. Future research must clarify the trajectory, clinical significance, and etiology of PHCD: a priority in the face of an aging population with increasing rates of both cognitive impairment and hospitalization.

Women with Myocardial Infarction Present Subtle Cognitive Difficulties on a Neuropsychological Battery After Exposure to a Social Stressor

Objective

Myocardial infarction (MI) is the primary cause of mortality and morbidity in women, but its sequelae remain largely understudied. Given the heart-brain relationship, our study aimed to further understand stress's impact on regulating cognitive function post-MI. Specifically, our study evaluated the effect of stress induced using the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), on neuropsychological function in women who have or have not experienced MI.

Methodology

To do so, women (mean age = 59.41 yrs) with (WHx_MI = 13) or without () a history of MI were exposed to the TSST prior to completion of a series of standardized neuropsychological tests: the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Control Oral Word Association (COWA), Rey Complex Figure and Recognition (RCFT), Trail Making Test (TMT), and Auditory Consonant Triagrams (ACT).

Results

Our findings support MI to be associated with impairments in working memory affecting immediate recall of ACT, as well as visuospatial impairments in the RCFT copy trial, marked by poorer drawing accuracy and incorrect placement of figure elements. Overall, WHx_MI required more time to complete the neuropsychological assessment (WHx_MI 166.57 ± 12, 155.00 ± 6.57; p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Together, these findings support cognitive impairments noted following a social stressor to remain subtle in WHx_MI. Our study highlights the need for the development of more sensitive tools to screen for neuropsychological impairments in women with MI and the importance of assessing performance in a variety of testing conditions.

Longitudinal associations of pain and cognitive decline in community-dwelling older adults

Pain is inversely associated with cognitive function in older adults, but the effects of pain on cognitive decline are not fully clear. This study examined the associations of baseline pain, pain persistence, and incident pain with changes in cognition across 10 years in a sample of healthy community-dwelling older adults (n = 688; Mage = 74, SD = 6.05) from the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE) trial. While ACTIVE was a four-arm single-blind cognitive training randomized controlled trial, the present study includes only participants from the no-contact control group. Pain was examined using the Medical Outcomes Survey SF-36-Item (MOS SF-36) and cognitive tests examined simple processing speed, complex processing speed, divided and selective attention, memory, reasoning, and cognitive status. Multilevel models tested the associations of baseline pain, incident pain, and pain persistence on cognitive function and cognitive decline, adjusted for baseline age, time (years after follow-up), race, gender, education, marital status, and depressive symptoms at baseline and over time. Thirty-one percent reported pain at baseline which was related to worse baseline memory and accelerated decline in processing speed. Forty-two percent of older adults reported incident pain had accelerated decline in complex processing speed, divided attention, memory, reasoning, and cognitive status. On average, older adults reported a mean of two waves of pain persistence related to accelerated decline in memory. In sum, pain is common in community-dwelling older adults and is related to accelerated cognitive decline, especially when the incident. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Genetic Risk, Midlife Life's Simple 7, and Incident Dementia in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Higher scores in Life's Simple 7 (LS7), a metric for cardiovascular and brain health, have been associated with lower risk of dementia. It is uncertain whether this association holds among those with high genetic risk of dementia. Our objective is to evaluate the extent that LS7 may offset dementia risk across the range of genetic risk.

METHODS

Participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study were followed from 1987-1989 to 2019. We derived midlife LS7 scores and generated genetic risk scores (GRS) using genome-wide summary statistics of Alzheimer disease, which have been used to study the genetic risk for dementia. Incident dementia was ascertained based on the criteria of the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association workgroups and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The associations of the GRS and LS7 with incident dementia were evaluated using Cox regression.

RESULTS

This study included 8,823 European American (EA) and 2,738 African American (AA) participants (mean age at baseline 54 years). We observed 1,603 cases of dementia among EA participants and 631 among AA participants (median follow-up 26.2 years). Higher GRS were associated with higher risk of dementia (EA, hazard ratio [HR] per SD 1.44, 95% CI 1.37, 1.51; AA, HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.16, 1.36). Among EA participants, higher LS7 scores were consistently associated with lower risk of dementia across quintiles of GRS, including the highest quintile (HR per point 0.91, 95% CI 0.87, 0.96). Among AA participants, the associations between LS7 and incident dementia within stratum of GRS had the same direction as among EA participants, although wide CIs and smaller sample sizes limited reliable inferences.

DISCUSSION

Across strata of GRS, higher midlife LS7 scores were associated with lower risk of dementia. Larger sample sizes from diverse populations are needed to obtain more reliable estimates of the effects of modifiable health factors on dementia risk within genetic risk strata in each ancestry group.

Cardiometabolic multimorbidity accelerates cognitive decline and dementia progression

INTRODUCTION

Cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) have been individually associated with adverse cognitive outcomes, but their combined effect has not been investigated.

METHODS

A total of 2577 dementia-free participants 60 years of age or older were followed for 12 years to observe changes in cognitive function and to detect incident cognitive impairment, no dementia (CIND) and dementia. CMDs (including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke) were assessed at baseline through medical records and clinical examinations. Cardiometabolic multimorbidity was defined as the presence of two or more CMDs. Data were analyzed using multi-adjusted linear mixed-effects models, Cox regression, and Laplace regression.

RESULTS

CMD multimorbidity was associated with cognitive decline, CIND (hazard ratio [HR] 1.73; 95% confidence interval CI 1.23 to 2.44), and its progression to dementia (HR 1.86; 95% CI 1.17 to 2.97). CMD multimorbidity accelerated the onset of CIND by 2.3 years and dementia by 1.8 years.

CONCLUSIONS

CMD multimorbidity accelerates cognitive decline and increases the risk of both CIND and its conversion to dementia.

HIGHLIGHTS

We explored the combined impact of cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) on cognition. An increasing number of CMDs dose-dependently accelerated cognitive decline. CMD multimorbidity increased the risk of both cognitive impairment and dementia. Co-morbid CMDs could be ideal targets for interventions to protect cognitive health.

Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and heart failure: A community study

BACKGROUND

Cognitive function is essential to effective self-management of heart failure (HF). Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD) can coexist with HF, but its exact prevalence and impact on health care utilization and death are not well defined.

METHODS

Residents from 7 southeast Minnesota counties with a first-ever diagnosis code for HF between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2018 were identified. Clinically diagnosed AD/ADRD was ascertained using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Chronic Conditions Data Warehouse algorithm. Patients were followed through March 31, 2020. Cox and Andersen-Gill models were used to examine associations between AD/ADRD (before and after HF) and death and hospitalizations, respectively.

RESULTS

Among 6336 patients with HF (mean age [SD] 75 years [14], 48% female), 644 (10%) carried a diagnosis of AD/ADRD at index HF diagnosis. The 3-year cumulative incidence of AD/ADRD after HF diagnosis was 17%. During follow-up (mean [SD] 3.2 [1.9] years), 2618 deaths and 15,475 hospitalizations occurred. After adjustment, patients with AD/ADRD before HF had nearly a 2.7 times increased risk of death, but no increased risk of hospitalization compared to those without AD/ADRD. When AD/ADRD was diagnosed after the index HF date, patients experienced a 3.7 times increased risk of death and a 73% increased risk of hospitalization compared to those who remain free of AD/ADRD.

CONCLUSIONS

In a large, community cohort of patients with incident HF, the burden of AD/ADRD is quite high as more than one-fourth of patients with HF received a diagnosis of AD/ADRD either before or after HF diagnosis. AD/ADRD markedly increases the risk of adverse outcomes in HF underscoring the need for future studies focused on holistic approaches to improve outcomes.

Deep phenotyping of Alzheimer's disease leveraging electronic medical records identifies sex-specific clinical associations

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is still not fully understood. Sex modifies AD vulnerability, but the reasons for this are largely unknown. We utilize two independent electronic medical record (EMR) systems across 44,288 patients to perform deep clinical phenotyping and network analysis to gain insight into clinical characteristics and sex-specific clinical associations in AD. Embeddings and network representation of patient diagnoses demonstrate greater comorbidity interactions in AD in comparison to matched controls. Enrichment analysis identifies multiple known and new diagnostic, medication, and lab result associations across the whole cohort and in a sex-stratified analysis. With this data-driven method of phenotyping, we can represent AD complexity and generate hypotheses of clinical factors that can be followed-up for further diagnostic and predictive analyses, mechanistic understanding, or drug repurposing and therapeutic approaches.

Predictive role of atrial fibrillation in cognitive decline: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 2.8 million individuals

Aims

To systematic review and meta-analyse the association and mechanistic links between atrial fibrillation (AF) and cognitive impairment.

Methods and results

PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched up to 27 March 2021 and yielded 4534 citations. After exclusions, 61 were analysed; 15 and 6 studies reported on the association of AF and cognitive impairment in the general population and post-stroke cohorts, respectively. Thirty-six studies reported on the neuro-pathological changes in patients with AF; of those, 13 reported on silent cerebral infarction (SCI) and 11 reported on cerebral microbleeds (CMB). Atrial fibrillation was associated with 39% increased risk of cognitive impairment in the general population [n = 15: 2 822 974 patients; hazard ratio = 1.39; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25–1.53, I² = 90.3%; follow-up 3.8–25 years]. In the post-stroke cohort, AF was associated with a 2.70-fold increased risk of cognitive impairment [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.70; 95% CI 1.66–3.74, I² = 0.0%; follow-up 0.25–3.78 years]. Atrial fibrillation was associated with cerebral small vessel disease, such as white matter hyperintensities and CMB (n = 8: 3698 patients; OR = 1.38; 95% CI 1.11–1.73, I² = 0.0%), SCI (n = 13: 6188 patients; OR = 2.11; 95% CI 1.58–2.64, I² = 0%), and decreased cerebral perfusion and cerebral volume even in the absence of clinical stroke.

Conclusion

Atrial fibrillation is associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment. The association with cerebral small vessel disease and cerebral atrophy secondary to cardioembolism and cerebral hypoperfusion may suggest a plausible link in the absence of clinical stroke. PROSPERO CRD42018109185.

Cardiovascular disease and the risk of dementia: a survival analysis using administrative data from Manitoba

OBJECTIVES

Recent research has shown that cardiovascular disease (CVD) raises the risk of dementia and other forms of cognitive decline. Generally, these studies are unable to model the time of diagnosis of CVD in their analyses and treat CVD as a time-fixed variable. Our objective was to assess the risk of being diagnosed with dementia for individuals diagnosed with CVD when CVD is time-dependent.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study using administrative health datasets from the Manitoba Population Research Data Repository in Canada. We constructed a longitudinal dataset to track individuals enrolled in the Manitoba Health Insurance Registry between April 1, 1997 and March 31, 2015. The study population consisted of 496,192 individuals 30 years of age or older who were not diagnosed with CVD or dementia prior to April 1, 1997. Diagnoses of CVD and dementia were based on diagnosis codes from medical claims and hospitalizations and the use of prescription medications. Hazard ratios were then computed using adjusted Cox-proportional hazards analyses.

RESULTS

Among the CVD subgroups considered, atrial fibrillation, ischemic heart disease, and stroke increased the risk of developing dementia, with stroke doubling one's risk of being diagnosed with the disease (hazard ratio: 1.95; 95% confidence interval: 1.9, 2.01). Age, lower socioeconomic status, and worsening comorbidities also increased the risk of being diagnosed with dementia.

CONCLUSION

A diagnosis of CVD is associated with an increased risk of a future diagnosis of dementia. Promoting good cardiovascular health may serve as an effective measure for preventing dementia.

Resolving inflammatory links between myocardial infarction and vascular dementia

Myocardial infarction is associated with increased risk for vascular dementia. In both myocardial infarction and vascular dementia, there is evidence that elevated inflammatory biomarkers are associated with worsened clinical outcomes. Myocardial infarction leads to a systemic inflammatory response, which may contribute to recruitment or activation of myeloid cells, including monocytes, microglia, and perivascular macrophages, within the central nervous system. However, our understanding of the causative roles for these cells linking cardiac injury to the development and progression of dementia is incomplete. Herein, we provide an overview of inflammatory cellular and molecular links between myocardial infarction and vascular dementia and discuss strategies to resolve inflammation after myocardial infarction to limit neurovascular injury.

Cognitive decline and risk of dementia in individuals with heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

To determine the association between heart failure (HF) and cognitive change and dementia.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Systematic search of three electronic databases was performed and 29 eligible studies involving approximately 3 million participants were identified. Twelve studies examined dementia and 20 cognitive change, but only a subset of studies could be included in the meta-analysis. These findings indicated that HF was not significantly associated with dementia (n=8, hazard ratio [HR] 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.93, 1.50]), but increased the risk of cognitive impairment (n=3, HR 1.80, 95%CI [1.14,2.86]) . Additionally, HF was associated with poorer mean cognitive performance in global cognition (Hedges' g -0.73, 95%CI [-1.12, -0.35]), memory (Hedges' g -0.57, 95%CI [-0.72, -0.42]), executive function (Hedges' g -0.58, 95%CI [-0.72, -0.43]), attention/speed (Hedges' g -0.50, 95%CI [-0.63, -0.37]) and language (Hedges' g -0.61, 95%CI [-1.05, -0.17]).

CONCLUSION

Patients with HF perform worse on all cognitive tests, and have an increased risk of cognitive impairment. These findings highlight the need for clinicians to consider cognition as part of routine care for patients with HF.

Predictive value of baseline cognitive functioning on health-related quality of life in individuals with coronary artery disease: a 5-year longitudinal study

AIMS

Emerging studies suggest an association exists between coronary artery disease (CAD) and the development of neurodegenerative diseases, with CAD acting as a precursor. Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between baseline measures of cognitive functioning and long-term health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in individuals with CAD with specification to Type D personality traits and sex.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This prospective observational cohort study consisted of 864 participants (mean age 58 SD = 9 years, 74.0% men) with CAD after acute coronary syndrome. Baseline characteristics included comprehensive cognitive testing, measures of sociodemographic and clinical factors, and psychological assessment scales, such as Type D personality scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale. The Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire assessed participants' HRQoL, conducted through phone interviews at baseline, every 6 months for up to 2 years, and after 5 years. Cognitive functioning correlated with HRQoL at all time intervals over the 5-year follow-up. Regarding sex and Type D personality, significant differences emerged in associations between impaired cognitive functioning at baseline and HRQoL measured over the period of 5 years. Men participants with characteristics of Type D personality were especially vulnerable to impaired cognitive functioning affecting the 5-year quality of life.

CONCLUSION

Men with CAD who obtained scores indicating characteristics of Type D personality were significantly more likely to have lower baseline cognitive functions and long-term HRQoL outcomes. This information could inform healthcare practitioners to screen for personality characteristics and closely follow-up those at a greater risk.

The Role of Progestogens in Menopausal Hormone Therapy

Progestogens are steroid compounds that have the ability to induce secretory transformation in the endometrium and are utilized in menopausal hormone therapy to prevent endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer. Progestogens can be derived from 21-carbon or 19-carbon steroid cytoskeletons and thus have different properties and metabolic effects beyond the progestational effects on the endometrium. This limited review will focus on the available progestogens utilized in combination hormone therapy including progesterone, medroxyprogesterone acetate, norethindrone, norethindrone acetate, levonorgestrel, and drospirenone. The impact of progestogens on a variety of target tissues including the endometrium, breast, cardiovascular system, brain, and bone, will be reviewed. Last, the current clinical regimens that can be utilized by clinicians will be discussed.

Atrial Fibrillation Is Associated with Cognitive Impairment, All-Cause Dementia, Vascular Dementia, and Alzheimer's Disease: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia in patients with stroke history. However, the association between AF and cognitive impairment in broader populations is less clear.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review and quantitatively synthesize the existing evidence regarding the association of AF with cognitive impairment of any severity and etiology and dementia.

METHODS

Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane Central were searched in order to identify studies investigating the association between AF and cognitive impairment (or dementia) cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Studies encompassing and analyzing exclusively patients with stroke history were excluded. A random-effects model meta-analysis was conducted. Potential sources of between-study heterogeneity were investigated via subgroup and meta-regression analyses. Sensitivity analyses including only studies reporting data on stroke-free patients, vascular dementia, and Alzheimer's disease were performed.

RESULTS

In total, 43 studies were included. In the pooled analysis, AF was significantly associated with dementia (adjusted OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.3 to 2.1; I², 31%) and the combined endpoint of cognitive impairment or dementia (pooled adjusted OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.4 to 1.8; I², 34%). The results were significant, even when studies including only stroke-free patients were pooled together (unadjusted OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.4 to 3.5; I², 96%), but the heterogeneity rates were high. AF was significantly associated with increased risk of both vascular (adjusted OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2 to 2.3; I², 43%) and Alzheimer's dementia (adjusted HR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.2 to 1.6; I², 42%).

CONCLUSION

AF increases the risk of cognitive impairment, all-cause dementia, vascular dementia, and Alzheimer's disease. Future studies should employ interventions that may delay or even prevent cognitive decline in AF patients.

Risk of dementia in patients with atrial fibrillation: Short versus long follow-up. A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

No previous meta-analyses have compared the risk of dementia, due to an underlying atrial fibrillation (AF), in the short-term versus the long-term period.

AIM

To perform an update meta-analysis of studies examining the association between AF and dementia and the relative impact of follow-up period.

METHODS

Data were obtained searching MEDLINE and Scopus for all investigations published between 1 January 2000 and March 1, 2021 reporting the risk of dementia in AF patients. The following MeSH terms were used for the search: "Atrial Fibrillation" AND "Dementia" OR "Alzheimer's disease". From each study, the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) with the related 95% confidence interval (CI) was pooled using a random effect model.

RESULTS

The analysis was carried out on 18 studies involving 3.559.349 subjects, of which 902.741 (25.3%) developed dementia during follow-up. A random effect model revealed an aHR of 1.40 (95% CI: 1.27-1.54, p < 0.0001; I2  = 93.5%) for dementia in subjects with AF. Stratifying the studies according to follow-up duration, those having a follow-up ≥10 years showed an aHR for dementia of 1.37 (95% CI: 1.21-1.55, p < 0.0001, I2  = 96.6%), while those with a follow-up duration <10 years has a slightly higher aHR for dementia (HR: 1.59, 95%CI: 1.51-1.67, p < 0.0001, I2  = 49%). Nine studies showed that the aHR for Alzheimer's disease (AD) in AF patients was 1.30 (95%CI: 1.12-1.51, p < 0.0001, I2  = 87.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence suggests that patients with AF have an increased risk of developing dementia and AD. The risk of dementia was slightly higher when the follow-up was shorter than 10 years.

[Possibilities of sequential levocarnitin and acetylcarnitin treatment in correcting cognitive deficiency in patients with cardiovascular diseases]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of sequential therapy with levocarnitine and acetylcarnitine in patients with cardiovascular pathology (arterial hypertension and/or coronary heart disease) and moderate cognitive deficits.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 120 patients aged 54-67 years. The main group of patients (n=60) in addition to the basic treatment of the underlying disease received l-carnitine (Elkar solution for intravenous and intramuscular injection of 100 mg/ml, the company «PIK-FARMA»)/jet during 10 days in a dose of 1000 mg/day, with following transition to oral administration of acetyl-l-carnitine (Carnitin, the company «PIK-FARMA»), 500 mg (2 cap Sula) 2 times a day for 2 months. The comparison group (n=60) received basic therapy for major diseases. The total duration of follow-up was 70 days.

RESULTS

The results obtained indicate that in such comorbid patients, the use of levocarnitine and acetylcarnitine reduces the severity of cognitive deficits. An important aspect of their pathogenetic effect on the severity of cognitive deficits may be the possibility of correcting endothelial dysfunction. The use of levocarnitine and acetylcarnitine in patients with cardiovascular pathology has demonstrated good tolerability and safety.

A Cohort Study of Anticholinergic Medication Burden and Incident Dementia and Stroke in Older Adults

BACKGROUND

Anticholinergic medications may increase risk of dementia and stroke, but prospective studies in healthy older people are lacking.

OBJECTIVE

Compare risk of incident dementia and stroke by anticholinergic burden among initially healthy older people.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Primary care (Australia and USA).

PARTICIPANTS

19,114 community-dwelling participants recruited for the ASPREE trial, aged 70+ years (65+ if US minorities) without major cardiovascular disease, dementia diagnosis, or Modified Mini-Mental State Examination score below 78/100.

MEASUREMENTS

Baseline anticholinergic exposure was calculated using the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden (ACB) score. Dementia was adjudicated using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders volume IV criteria, and stroke using the World Health Organization definition.

RESULTS

At baseline, 15,000 participants (79%) had an ACB score of zero, 2930 (15%) a score of 1-2, and 1184 (6%) a score of ≥ 3 (indicating higher burden). After a median follow-up of 4.7 years and adjusting for baseline covariates, a baseline ACB score of ≥ 3 was associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke (adjusted HR 1.58, 95% CI 1.06, 2.35), or dementia (adjusted HR 1.36, 95% CI 1.01, 1.82), especially of mixed etiology (adjusted HR 1.53, 95% CI 1.06, 2.21). Results were similar for those exposed to moderate/highly anticholinergic medications.

LIMITATIONS

Residual confounding and reverse causality are possible. Assessment of dose or duration was not possible.

CONCLUSIONS

High anticholinergic burden in initially healthy older people was associated with increased risk of incident dementia and ischemic stroke. A vascular effect may underlie this association. These findings highlight the importance of minimizing anticholinergic exposure in healthy older people.

Associations between coronary heart disease and risk of cognitive impairment: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Several studies have demonstrated that coronary heart disease (CHD) is a high risk factor for cognitive impairment, whereas other studies showed that there was no association between cognitive impairment and CHD. The relationship between CHD and cognitive impairment is still unclear based on these conflicting results. Thus, it is of importance to evaluate the association between CHD and cognitive impairment. The present study made a meta-analysis to explore the association between CHD and risk of cognitive impairment.

METHODS

Articles exploring the association between CHD and cognitive impairment and published before November 2020 were searched in the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. We used STATA 12.0 software to compute the relative risks (RRs), odds ratios (ORs), or hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

The meta-analysis showed a positive association between CHD and risk of all-cause cognitive impairment with a random effects model (RR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.36, I²  = 82.8%, p < .001). Additionally, the study showed a positive association between myocardial infraction (MI) and risk of all-cause cognitive impairment with a random effects model (RR = 1.49, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.84, I²  = 76.0%, p < .001). However, no significant association was detected between angina pectoris (AP) and risk of all-cause cognitive impairment with a random effects model (RR = 1.23, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.58, I²  = 79.1%, p < .001). Subgroup studies also showed that CHD patients are at higher risk for vascular dementia (VD), but not Alzheimer's disease (AD) (VD: RR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.28-1.39; AD: RR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.92-1.07).

CONCLUSION

In a word, CHD was significantly associated with an increased risk of developing cognitive impairment.

Usefulness of the Japanese version of Rapid Dementia Screening Test for mild cognitive impairment in older patients with cardiovascular disease: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Cognitive decline is common among older patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and can decrease their self-management abilities. However, the instruments for identifying mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are not always feasible in clinical practice. Therefore, this study evaluated whether MCI could be detected using the Japanese version of the Rapid Dementia Screening Test (RDST-J), which is a simple screening tool for identifying cognitive decline.

METHODS

This retrospective single-center study included patients who were ≥ 65 years old and hospitalized because of CVD. Patients with a pre-hospitalization diagnosis of dementia were excluded. Each patient's cognitive function had been measured at discharge using the RDST-J and the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-J), which is a standard tool for MCI screening. The correlation between the two scores was evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was also to evaluate whether the RDST-J could identify MCI, which was defined as a MoCA-J score of ≤ 25 points.

RESULTS

The study included 78 patients (mean age: 77.2 ± 8.9 years). The RDST-J and MoCA-J scores were strongly correlated (r = 0.835, P < 0.001). The ROC analysis revealed that an RDST-J score of ≤ 9 points provided 75.4% sensitivity and 95.2% specificity for identifying MCI, with an area under the curve of 0.899 (95% CI: 0.835-0.964). The same cut-off value was identified when excluding patients with a high probability of dementia (RDST-J score of ≤ 4 points).

CONCLUSIONS

The RDST-J may be a simple and effective tool for identifying MCI in older patients with CVD.

Food anthocyanins decrease concentrations of TNF-α in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A randomized, controlled, double blind clinical trial

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Vascular function, blood pressure and inflammation are involved in the pathogenesis of major chronic diseases, including both cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This study investigated the effects of food anthocyanins on microvascular function, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) and inflammatory biomarkers in older adults with MCI.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Thirty-one participants with MCI [19 female, 12 male, mean age 75.3 (SD 6.9) years and body mass index 26.1 (SD 3.3) kg/m²], participated in a randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12618001184268). Participants consumed 250 mL fruit juice daily for 8 weeks, allocated into three groups: a) high dose anthocyanins (201 mg); b) low dose anthocyanins (47 mg); c) control. Microvascular function (Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging combined with a post-occlusive reactive hyperaemia test), 24h ABP and serum inflammatory biomarkers were assessed before and after the nutritional intervention.

RESULTS

Participants in the high anthocyanins group had a reduction in serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (P = 0.002) compared to controls and the low anthocyanins group (all P's > 0.05). Serum IL-6, IL-1β, c-reactive protein, and parameters of microvascular function and 24h ABP were not altered by any treatment.

CONCLUSION

A daily high dose of fruit-based anthocyanins for 8 weeks reduced concentrations of TNF-α in older adults with MCI. Anthocyanins did not alter other inflammatory biomarkers, microvascular function or blood pressure parameters. Further studies with a larger sample size and longer period of follow-up are required to elucidate whether this change in the immune response will alter CVD risk and progression of cognitive decline.

The impact of sex and gender on heart-brain axis dysfunction: current concepts and novel perspectives

The heart-brain axis (HBA) recapitulates all the circuits that regulate bidirectional flow of communication between heart and brain. Several mechanisms may underlie the interdependent relationship involving heterogeneous tissues at rest and during specific target organ injury such as myocardial infarction, heart failure, arrhythmia, stroke, mood disorders, or dementia. In-depth translational studies of the HBA dysfunction under single-organ injury should include both male and female animals to develop sex- and gender-oriented prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies. Indeed, sex and gender are determining factors as females and males exhibit significant differences in terms of susceptibility to risk factors, age of onset, severity of symptoms, and outcome. Despite most studies having focused on the male population, we have conducted a careful appraisal of the literature investigating HBA in females. In particular, we have (i) analyzed sex-related heart and brain illnesses, (ii) recapitulated the most significant studies simultaneously conducted on cardio- and cerebro-vascular systems in female populations, and (iii) hypothesized future perspectives for the development of a gender-based approach to HBA dysfunction. Although sex- and gender-oriented research is at its infancy, the impact of sex on HBA dysfunction is opening unexpected new avenues for managing the health of female subjects exposed to risk of lifestyle multi-organ disease.

A study protocol for MindMoves: A lifestyle physical activity and cognitive training intervention to prevent cognitive impairment in older women with cardiovascular disease

INTRODUCTION

Cognitive impairment (CI) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) disproportionately affect women compared to men, and CVD increases risk of CI. Physical activity and cognitive training can improve cognition in older adults and may have additive or synergistic effects. However, no combined intervention has targeted women with CVD or utilized a sustainable lifestyle approach. The purpose of the trial is to evaluate efficacy of MindMoves, a 24-week multimodal physical activity and cognitive training intervention, on cognition and serum biomarkers in older women with CVD. Three serum biomarkers (brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF], vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], and insulin-like growth factor 1 [IGF-1]) were selected as a priori hypothesized indicators of the effects of physical activity and/or cognitive training on cognition.

METHODS

The study design is a randomized controlled trial with a 2 × 2 factorial design, to determine independent and combined efficacies of Mind (tablet-based cognitive training) and Move (lifestyle physical activity with goal-setting and group meetings) on change in cognition (primary outcome) and serum biomarkers (secondary outcomes). We will recruit 254 women aged ≥65 years with CVD and without CI from cardiology clinics. Women will be randomized to one of four conditions: (1) Mind, (2) Move, (3) MindMoves, or (4) usual care. Data will be obtained from participants at baseline, 24, 48, and 72 weeks.

DISCUSSION

This study will test efficacy of a lifestyle-focused intervention to prevent or delay cognitive impairment in older women with CVD and may identify relevant serum biomarkers that could be used as early indicators of intervention response.

Association of cardiovascular disease and traditional cardiovascular risk factors with the incidence of dementia among patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence of dementia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) 65 years and older, and compare the incidence of dementia in patients with RA with prevalent cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD), CV risk factors but no prevalent CVD and neither (referent group).

METHODS

We analyzed claims data from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) from 2006-2014. Eligibility criteria included continuous medical and pharmacy coverage for ≥ 12 months (baseline period 2006), > 2 RA diagnoses by a rheumatologist and at least 1 medication for RA. CVD and CV risk factors were identified using codes from the Chronic Condition Data Warehouse. Incident dementia was defined by 1 inpatient or 2 outpatient claims, or one dementia specific medication. Age-adjusted incident rates were calculated within each age strata. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate Hazard Ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

Among 56,567 patients with RA, 11,789 (20.1%) incident cases of dementia were included in the main analysis. Age adjusted incident rates were high among all groups and increased with age. After adjustment for age, sex, comorbidities and baseline CV and RA medications, patients with CVD and CV risk factors between 65 and 74 years had an increased risk for incident dementia compared to those without CVD and without CV risk factors (HR 1.18 (95% CI 1.04-1.33) and HR 1.03 (95% CI 1.00-1.11), respectively). We observed a trend towards increased risk in patients between 75 and 84 years with CVD at baseline.

CONCLUSION

Patients with RA with both CVD and CV risk factors alone are at an increased risk for dementia compared to those with neither CVD nor CV risk factors; however, this risk is attenuated with increasing age. The impact of RA treatment and CV primary prevention strategies in the prevention of dementia in patients with RA warrants further studies.

The Menopause Transition: Signs, Symptoms, and Management Options

CONTEXT

Menopause, the permanent cessation of menses, reflects oocyte depletion and loss of gonadal steroids. It is preceded by a transition state, the perimenopause, which is characterized by the gradual loss of oocytes, altered responsiveness to gonadal steroid feedback, wide hormonal fluctuations, and irregular menstrual patterns. The goal of this mini-review is to discuss the basic pathophysiology of the menopausal transition and the hormonal and nonhormonal management of clinicopathology attributed to it.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A Medline search of epidemiologic, population-based studies, and studies of reproductive physiology was conducted. A total of 758 publications were screened.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

The reproductive hormonal milieu of the menopausal transition precipitates bothersome vasomotor symptoms, mood disruption, temporary cognitive dysfunction, genitourinary symptoms, and other disease processes that reduce the quality of life of affected women. The endocrine tumult of the menopause transition also exposes racial and socioeconomic disparities in the onset, severity, and frequency of symptoms. Hormone therapy (HT) treatment can be effective for perimenopausal symptoms but its use has been stymied by concerns about health risks observed in postmenopausal HT users who are older than 60 and/or women who have been postmenopausal for greater than 10 years.

CONCLUSIONS

The menopause transition is a disruptive process that can last for over a decade and causes symptoms in a majority of women. It is important for clinicians to recognize early signs and symptoms of the transition and be prepared to offer treatment to mitigate these symptoms. Many safe and effective options, including HT, are available.

The Feasibility of a Combined Lifestyle Physical Activity and Cognitive Training Intervention to Prevent Cognitive Impairment in Older Women With Cardiovascular Disease

BACKGROUND

Cognitive impairment disproportionately affects older women with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Physical activity (PA) and cognitive training (CT) may have synergistic effects in combined interventions. However, no combined intervention has targeted women with CVD or utilized a sustainable and preferable lifestyle approach. The purpose was to test feasibility and acceptability of the 24-week MindMoves program, a lifestyle intervention that combined PA and CT developed for older women with CVD.

METHODS

The PA component included goal setting with Fitbits and 5 behavioral group meetings. The CT component was evidence-based BrainHQ delivered on a tablet in three 30-minute weekly sessions. Participants included 10 women aged ≥65 years with CVD. Exclusion criteria were cognitive impairment, regular PA, and CT use. Measures were feasibility (recruitment, attendance, participation, retention, and acceptability), change in PA (Fitbit min/steps), and change in cognitive function (NIH Toolbox®).

RESULTS

Of the 10 participants, 70% attended ≥4/5 group meetings, and overall attendance was 76%. Participants completed 2.3/3 CT sessions weekly. Participant retention was 100%. Over 90% of participants rated MindMoves with the highest levels of satisfaction. Participants had significant improvements in steps, light PA, and moderate PA, and there was a trend for improved cognition.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings support testing MindMoves in an efficacy trial.

Later-Onset Hypertension Is Associated With Higher Risk of Dementia in Mild Cognitive Impairment

To investigate the correlation between hypertension development and the progression of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia in middle-aged and elderly people. A population-based longitudinal cognition survey of people aged 55+ was conducted. The hypertension onset age was estimated by self-reported information and medical insurance card records. To study the effect of later-onset hypertension on dementia, the incidence of dementia was compared between the two groups. Of 277 hypertensive MCI participants without dementia, 56 (20.22%) progressed to dementia (MCIp) over the 6-year follow-up. The proportion of MCIp participants in the old-age-onset hypertension group (≥65 years) was higher than that in the middle-age-onset hypertension group (27.0 vs. 15.4%, respectively; X 2 = 5.538, P = 0.019). In the old-age-onset hypertension group, the proportion of MCIp without diabetes mellitus was higher than those with diabetes mellitus (24.7 vs. 12.6%, respectively; X 2 = 5.321, P = 0.021) and those with increased pulse pressure was higher than those without increased pulse pressure (33.3 vs. 15.4%, respectively; X 2 = 3.902, P = 0.048). However, the cox proportional hazard showed that older age was the only risk factor for MCIp (HR = 0.618, p = 0.000). These results suggest that individuals with later-onset hypertension may have greater cognition decline, even with blood pressure maintained at 130/80 mmHg with antihypertensive management.